69 C15 Build Thread

[dc2842002]

**Edit - Pictures now appear to be working but I had to add them as attachments instead of embedding them**

Hello all, I am new to the forum but have been hanging around for a while. I am starting this thread to document the build of my 69 C15 LWB. Below is a picture of the truck when I started. The truck had been sitting for 14 years or so.




My plan for the truck is to get it as close to laying frame as I can without spending a fortune on aftemarket parts. I started by removing the cab, bed, engine, and transmission. I then pressure washed as much of the 50 years of grease and dirt as I could



Next I put it up on the frame table to get the stock suspension off and start the modifications.



Then I removed the suspension and front crossmember.



I then wet blasted the crossmember so that I would get it pancaked.




I cut 1.5" out of the crossmember. The picture below is before the final trimming for a nice tight gap on the welds.



After getting the crossmember tacked back together I cut the braces off and test fir it on the frame. The wood in the picture below is a gauge that lines up with the lowest part of the frame.



After the fit check looked good I completed the welding



I am using CPP modular drop spindles. Below is the initial mock up of the front suspension. Notice that I had to pie cut the upper control arms to prevent binding of the ball joint when aired out.



I also ran into tie rod clearance and travel problems.



So I had to drill out the taper on my brand new spindles and make new tire rods with hiem joints. This allowed me to move the joint to the bottom of the steering arm. This should help with bump steer.



I then put cups in the lower control arms to get the bags moved down as far as possible.



I also have to clearance the lower control arms for the inner tie rods. This area will be boxed bag in during final welding.



I picked up a set of GM transport wheels with tires for this build.



This pretty much completed the front suspension mock up. Below is a picture with it blocked up somewhere around around ride height.

While I was working on the front suspension I started by design for the rear suspension. Custom 4 link, step notch, and bag mounts. These parts are currently being cut by a laser cutter. I have some of the parts and will begin the fabrication this week most likely.



I do have the rear axle tacked in place at the laid out height to start building the notch and 4 link.



While I am waiting on the laser parts I started mocking up the engine and transsmission. I am converting to a SBC and want to stay with the 3 speed on the column. Below is the engine (block only) and transmission set in the frame on new western chassis tubular motor mounts, ingenuity fab and speed transmission crossmember and energy suspencion poly bushings everywhere.





Let me know what you think. Comments, criticism, suggestions, and questions welcome.

[dc2842002]

I then wet blasted the crossmember so that I would get it pancaked.






I cut 1.5" out of the crossmember. The picture below is before the final trimming for a nice tight gap on the welds.




After getting the crossmember tacked back together I cut the braces off and test fir it on the frame. The wood in the picture below is a gauge that lines up with the lowest part of the frame.

[dc2842002]

After the fit check looked good I completed the welding



I am using CPP modular drop spindles. Below is the initial mock up of the front suspension. Notice that I had to pie cut the upper control arms to prevent binding of the ball joint when aired out.




I also ran into tie rod clearance and travel problems.



So I had to drill out the taper on my brand new spindles and make new tire rods with hiem joints. This allowed me to move the joint to the bottom of the steering arm. This should help with bump steer.



I then put cups in the lower control arms to get the bags moved down as far as possible.

[dc2842002]

I also have to clearance the lower control arms for the inner tie rods. This area will be boxed bag in during final welding.



I picked up a set of GM transport wheels with tires for this build.



This pretty much completed the front suspension mock up. Below is a picture with it blocked up somewhere around around ride height.



While I was working on the front suspension I started by design for the rear suspension. Custom 4 link, step notch, and bag mounts. These parts are currently being cut by a laser cutter. I have some of the parts and will begin the fabrication this week most likely.



I do have the rear axle tacked in place at the laid out height to start building the notch and 4 link.

[dc2842002]

While I am waiting on the laser parts I started mocking up the engine and transsmission. I am converting to a SBC and want to stay with the 3 speed on the column. Below is the engine (block only) and transmission set in the frame on new western chassis tubular motor mounts, ingenuity fab and speed transmission crossmember and energy suspension poly bushings everywhere.





Let me know what you think. Comments, criticism, suggestions, and questions welcome.

[dc2842002]

I started checking fit on my bag mounts this morning


I also got the 4-link brackets tacked on.

[LockDoc]

-
I will move this to the projects and builds forum.

LockDoc

[dc2842002]

The step notch and bag mounts are coming together. Should be able to finish up the 4-link this week.

[dc2842002]

I got the step notch, airbag mounting plate, and axle brackets all tacked in place.



I also get the new 4-link crossmember tacked in. I still need to add the carrier bearing and mount.



Then it was on to the actual 4-link. I made the links first. It had been a while since I notched tubing by hand. Brought back a lot of memories. I also figured out that welding the notched tubing is like riding a bike.




Got everything bolted in place.


Tomorrow morning I will double check everything, make sure that I have enough tacks on everything, and then cut the frame around the notch so I can drop the axle out of the way and get started on the final welding.

[Indychus]

Looking good!

[cornerstone]

Reading every thing twice here... thanks for the details and the work it takes to document your work. LOVIN IT!

[dc2842002]

Originally Posted by cornerstone

Reading every thing twice here... thanks for the details and the work it takes to document your work. LOVIN IT!

Thanks. Let me know if you have any questions. I am kind of at a stand still right now. I have a lot of welding to do. I hope to make some progress this weekend and have more pictures.

[dc2842002]

I got a little time out in the shop yesterday. Chased the threads on my weld nuts to make sure that the bump stops would thread all the way in.



I also got the panhard bar tacked together and tacked the mounts in place



Then I started welding up all of the joints. Still have a lot of welding to go.

[dc2842002]

The progress has been slow going lately. I just about have the step notch and bag mounts finished up. Then to the 4-link crossmember welding.

I will be ordering a boyd welding tank soon to mount in the back.

[dc2842002]

It seems like it has been slow going lately but I have made a little progress. I finished welding the 4 link cross member and the tabs on the axle. Final mock up on the rear suspension is done.





I also used the shock brackets that I cut off the rear axle to make relocated front upper shock mounts



I am currently working on boxing the frame. With the holidays I haven't gotten much done but I should be able to get back going on it next week.

[dc2842002]

I also got ordered a Boyd Welding tank on sale for Black Friday and got it mounted.

[raggedjim]

Nice work so far.

Good luck, Rg